High-altitude balloon. High-altitude balloons are unmanned balloons, usually filled with helium or hydrogen, that are released into the stratosphere, generally attaining between 60,000 to 120,000 feet (11 to 23 mi; 18 to 37 km). During 2002, a balloon named BU60-1 attained 53.0 km (32.9 mi; 173,900 ft).[1] The most common type of high altitude balloons are weather balloons.
Other purposes include use as a platform for experiments in the upper atmosphere. Modern balloons generally contain electronic equipment such as radio transmitters, cameras, or satellite navigation systems, such as GPS receivers. These balloons are launched into what is termed "near space"—- the area of Earth's atmosphere where there is very little air, but where the remaining amount generates too much drag for satellites to remain in orbit. Due to the low cost of GPS and communications equipment, high altitude ballooning is a popular hobby, with organizations such as UKHAS assisting the development of payloads.[2][3] History[edit] CubeSat in the News. Nanosatellites Take Off - Forbes.com. Nanosatellites Take Off Page 2 of 2 - Forbes.com. Self-Aiming Sniper Rifles Coming Next Year. A sniper crouches near an open window and zooms in on his target, who sits a half-mile away. He peers through a scope and holds his breath, preparing to squeeze the trigger.
But it’s windy outside, and he can't afford a miss. What to do? Clearly, he needs a self-aiming gun. Fortunately, one should be available next year. Using the One-Shot system, under development by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a new electro-optical system will calculate the ballistics for him, telling him where to aim and ensuring a perfect shot -- no matter the weather conditions. Lockheed Martin won a $6.9 million contract this week for the second phase of DARPA’s One-Shot system, which will provide direct observations of a target, measure every variable that influences a bullet’s flight, and calculate the aim offset in a sniper’s rifle scope. . While that’s impressive, the system was too heavy and unwieldy, and it couldn’t be used with standard rifle scopes. Fuel Economy over 100 miles per gallon - Avion. Engineers go couture with spray-on fabric.
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